Hamilton shooting that left Trenton teen dead still under investigation

By
Scott Ketterer, The Trentonian

Sunday, July 14, 2013

HAMILTON — The investigation into Friday’s deadly Hamilton house party shooting is ongoing, police said.

Police are seeking the man who shot 17-year-old Shakir Williams of Trenton to death and wounded four others inside of the home at 1105 Deutz Avenue.

As of press time, authorities said no suspects have been placed under arrest and no one is in custody. Detectives worked late into the night and still hadn’t charged anyone, Hamilton police said.

Williams was believed to have been shot by a lone gunman that witnesses — who were inside the home at the time of the shooting — said began firing into the crowd after he paid his entry fee at the door. It’s still not clear as to what sparked the shooting.

Witnesses described the shooter as a being black male wearing a white “baseball style” shirt with red sleeves and a white hat. An official description of the shooter has not been issued by authorities, however. Mercer County First Assistant Prosecutor Angelo Onofri said on Saturday that the investigation was very active and that “at this point we are investigating and are tracking down potential suspects.”

The mother and stepfather of the teen who the party was allegedly being held for were both home in the upstairs portion of the house while the party carried on below. Onofri said that the 15-year-old’s brother who is 23 was collecting the admission fee at the door. It’s unclear if the parents and older brother will face charges in connection with alcohol being served at the party, no one was officially charged Saturday. On Sunday afternoon Onofri said that the alcohol issue is being looked into and charges are possible.

Authorities are currently focusing their energy on finding the shooter before they address the other charges in the case.

Police ask that anyone with information regarding the homicide please call the Hamilton police at (609) 581-4000. Tipsters can also call the anonymous tipline at (609) 581-4008.